Terminalia catappa L (Indian almond)

Family combretaceae

A large deciduous tree with a dull brown tree trunk and level-whorled wavy branches, looking really like a giant unbrella from far away, the Terminalia catappa L (Indian almond) has entirely glossy leaf surfaces, which take the shape of up-side down egg, and short petioles tufting on the branch ends. Spikes coming out from leaf axils bear two flower type: with the male flowers at the upper and the bisexual flowers at the lower. The fruit is flat oval, two convex ridgelines protruding from either side, with fibers inside, making it light and tough and suitable for floating on the sea. The old tree has buttre roots and its leaves turn red in winter and drop to the ground. Besides good for watching, its leaves also have medicinal function, its kernels (seeds) is edible and can be used to extract oil, and the pulps are an excellent dyeing material. Tao people in Orchid Island use its leaves to wrap millet, buttre roots from the old tree to build boats, ad the tree trunk to construct buildings and make appliances.

　　Source of Pictures: Self-shot Pictures